CI RP: The History of Cutlass Isle

Falconer · Captain Posts: 1902 **2865 Gold** -

The History of Cutlass Isle

A few years ago, on a late summer day, a lone ship limped into the bay of a small island that its captain had never heard of before. He had lost his sextant in the battle that damaged his ship but he estimated they were somewhere North of St. Maarten. He was almost certain that the island was uncharted. He had sailed the Caribbean for six years now, but had never come across any mention of this island, nor noticed it on any map of the area he believed they were in. The waters in the bay were shallow; too shallow in fact. A grinding sound and curses from below informed him that the already battered hull of Scorpion, his beloved Barque, was leaking faster than his crew could work the pumps.

The battle with the two English Frigates had almost cost him his ship. He smiled mockingly at the cleverness of his adversaries. What a perfectly set trap that had been. A heavily laden merchant had come into view just before sundown just two days before. It had appeared from behind a small island, right off the starboard bow, and almost in shooting range. His looking glass had caught the captain of the merchant eying back at him with a weird, satisfied smile on his face. That should have tipped him off, but a ship sitting that deep in the water just could not be ignored. The merchant started to make a run for it but the faster Barque quickly shortened the distance between them. But when his ship rounded the west corner of the island, terror had struck him. Two Frigates were bearing down on him with great speed. It was too late to flee, battle was certain; and the outcome unlikely to be to his advantage. Too soon, the first Frigate, the Regal Falcon, had fired off its cannons and hit its target. Bits and pieces of his proud ship flew everywhere and worse, bits and pieces of his crew were hurled at him as well. But the Scorpion wasn't exactly helpless either. He yelled for his crew to fire at will and, battle hardened as they were, they responded instantly. Two more salvos from the Frigates hit home. Then a lucky shot from the Scorpion destroyed the rudder of the London Pride, which keeled sideways right into the path of the Falcon. Narrowly escaping a full frontal collision, the two ships got entangled, giving the Scorpion time to flee and get a head start. The London Pride was in no shape to go anywhere but the Falcon broke free from its peer and started the pursuit. The winds favoured the smaller Barque but the Frigate had hardly suffered any damage at all and was slowly gaining. All he could do was hope for darkness to fall in before the ship reached him. Fortunately it did and he managed to escape. Apparently it wasn't his time to die yet.

For two days straight, his crew had worked without pause to keep the ship afloat. The damage was so extensive that it was impossible to repair the ship at sea, he'd needed to find some place to moor and make emergency repairs. He also needed it fast; his men were exhausted.

It was then that they saw the island, springing up in front of their bleary eyes as if it was heaven sent. At least, until he heard the grinding sound! There was no way to keep his ship afloat for much longer. The only way they would ever get off the island, would be with his ship and for that, he couldn't let it sink. In an act of desperation he told the helmsman to beach the ship rather than having it sink in the middle of the bay.

And that is how they first arrived at the island. It turned out to be a great find. Fresh water, plenty of food and the discovery of several invaluable resources for all kinds of building materials, made it an ideal place for a permanent home. In the months that followed, the captain and his crew built a small but thriving settlement. The captain named the island Cutlass Isle and vowed it would be a safe haven for buccaneers sailing the Caribbean. A place where nationality and age were disregarded. A place where your deeds weighed heavier than your purse and where Pirates Honour could regain its meaning.

Nowadays, the settlement on Cutlass Isle is growing steadily towards being a small town and its inhabitants are shaping their community, with all the ups and downs that entails.

KingWilly · Rigger Posts: 1351 **9821 Gold** -

One quick question Falc. If the isle is a safe haven for buccaneers and nationality are disregarded, then why is there a governor on the island. From his name, he sounds English - possibly French. What is the deal with him?
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Shiver me timbers!!!
"It's good to be the king" - Mel Brooks

AKA. Will Scarlett.

Falconer · Captain Posts: 1902 **2865 Gold** -

Good question. I'll answer it shortly.

Quasimodo · Powder Monkey Posts: 14 **270 Gold** -

Put together more then 3 people and soon they will have a "leader". Call him the chieftain, the boss or the governor, doesn't matter.

Of course, surrounded by lots of other governors, I would think that a leader of pirates would like to consider himself as a "governor", too. So this sounds absolutely natural too me.

English name? Fine with me. Guess it was just chance. Luckily it wasn't a French man. The food would be better, but the language... Wink

El Diablo · Cutthroat Posts: 334 **218 Gold** -

well,

they were called "pirate-kings", but I never heard the expression governeur.
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Don't consider a creation to beeing perfect, unless you sat on it from dusk till dawn

Marius Dobrique · Powder Monkey Posts: 42 **162 Gold** -

Maybe "Guv'na" would be a better title for one "governing" a pirate haven?

ExtraCrispy · Boatswain Posts: 3923 **39052 Gold** -

I much prefer boss Mon.. Or how about consul for life? King of rome? Emporer-Mon of the unities Jamician empire, or Duke nukem?

Tom Pullings · Gunner Posts: 534 **11279 Gold** -

Worth the bump, EC. Old thread, but I had missed this bit of history.

MongSpirit · Powder Monkey Posts: 44 **499 Gold** -

Perhaps I missed it, but is the Roleplay being carried out in "Cutlass Isle" set in a particular era (such as the ones in the actual game)?

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10060 **191991 Gold** -

To answer the previous questions:

Cutlass Isle was originally established in 1660. It is located four days sail north of Tortuga and is surrounded by uninhabited islands, making it difficult to find.

Yes, it leans towards the English and Governor Marriott is English. He has the authority to issue Letters of Marque.

The Salty Dog Tavern was established shortly after the Island was founded.

Our story is now up to 1672. The European Leaders at this time are:

Spain - Carlos II (called "Mad King Carlos" , or "Carlos the Bewitched") is King but is only 11 years old. His Mother Mariana of Austria is Regent but relies heavily on her "Favorite" - Fernando de Valenzuela for affairs.

England - Charles II is King and is under heavy pressure since he has strong Catholic leanings but Parliament is strongly Protestant

France - King Louis XIV is the richest and most powerful man in the world. He is first cousin to Charles II of England and also related to Carlos of Spain

The Dutch Republic - In flux, William of Orange is Prince of Orange and about to be named Stadtholder

Cutlass Isle welcomes all Buccaneers and Pirates so long as they are peaceful while visiting here.